Ranieri keen to add experience

Claudio Ranieri has admitted that Fulham will be relegated if they are unable to sign experienced "leaders" during the January transfer window.

The Cottagers, 4/7 to be relegated this season, are currently 19th in the Premier League table with 14 points from 21 games.

There has been marginal improvement in Fulham's results since Ranieri replaced the axed Slavisa Jokanovic in November and they face a potentially crucial clash against Burnley this weekend. Fulham are 9/4 to beat the Clarets at Turf Moor and 12/1 to win the match from behind.

"I think we have to sign somebody to survive," said the Italian. "It would also be a good boost for all my players.

"We have a very good team, but without experience. We need somebody who has experience, a leader with good character, that's his personality, then we can improve.

"I'm positive because I believe in this team and this club. But also Burnley think, 'if we kill Fulham we go up'. And for this reason, I think it's a crucial match.

"Believe me, at the moment I never look at the table because I know where we are, staying under water and I want to go up."

Fulham are able to concentrate on avoiding an immediate return to the Championship as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by League Two side Oldham Athletic last weekend.

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Claudio Ranieri has admitted that Fulham will be relegated if they are unable to sign experienced "leaders" during the January transfer window.

The Cottagers, 4/7 to be relegated this season, are currently 19th in the Premier League table with 14 points from 21 games.

There has been marginal improvement in Fulham's results since Ranieri replaced the axed Slavisa Jokanovic in November and they face a potentially crucial clash against Burnley this weekend. Fulham are 9/4 to beat the Clarets at Turf Moor and 12/1 to win the match from behind.

"I think we have to sign somebody to survive," said the Italian. "It would also be a good boost for all my players.

"We have a very good team, but without experience. We need somebody who has experience, a leader with good character, that's his personality, then we can improve.

"I'm positive because I believe in this team and this club. But also Burnley think, 'if we kill Fulham we go up'. And for this reason, I think it's a crucial match.

"Believe me, at the moment I never look at the table because I know where we are, staying under water and I want to go up."

Fulham are able to concentrate on avoiding an immediate return to the Championship as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by League Two side Oldham Athletic last weekend.